U.S. patent number 5,738,258 [Application Number 08/734,884] was granted by the patent office on 1998-04-14 for multi-sport roof rack system.
This patent grant is currently assigned to Walden Products, Inc.. Invention is credited to Paul H. Farrow, Dale W. Vetter.
United States Patent |
5,738,258 |
Farrow , et al. |
April 14, 1998 |
**Please see images for:
( Certificate of Correction ) ** |
Multi-sport roof rack system
Abstract
A single roof rack system accommodates several outdoor sports
equipment items simultaneously and provides expandable sizing to
fit a variety of motor vehicles without requiring
equipment-specific add-on mounting supports. The system includes
shaped carrying pods which have built-in mounting surfaces and
tie-downs for accommodating sports equipment items such as kayaks,
canoes, bicycles, skis, snowboards, sailboards, and surfboards.
Inventors: |
Farrow; Paul H. (Concord,
MA), Vetter; Dale W. (Nashua, NH) |
Assignee: |
Walden Products, Inc. (Concord,
MA)
|
Family
ID: |
26685277 |
Appl.
No.: |
08/734,884 |
Filed: |
October 22, 1996 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
224/324; 224/319;
224/924; 224/309; 224/325; 224/329 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B60R
9/08 (20130101); Y10S 224/924 (20130101) |
Current International
Class: |
B60R
9/08 (20060101); B60R 9/00 (20060101); B60R
009/10 (); B60R 009/08 () |
Field of
Search: |
;224/309,319,320,321,322,323,324,325,326,329,330,331,924,917.5
;D3/261 |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Foreign Patent Documents
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|
|
|
|
433495 |
|
Jun 1991 |
|
EP |
|
406107077 |
|
Apr 1994 |
|
JP |
|
Primary Examiner: Recla; Henry J.
Assistant Examiner: Vidovich; Gregory M.
Attorney, Agent or Firm: Hamilton, Brook, Smith &
Reynolds, P.C.
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A rack system for a motor vehicle comprising:
a pair of rack members for mounting on a roof of a motor vehicle,
disposed in spaced apart relationship and approximately parallel to
one another in the transverse direction of the vehicle, each rack
member including a carrying pod comprising:
a contact portion along a bottom surface for contacting the
roof;
a top portion having at least one longitudinal slot formed therein
for receiving equipment thereon;
a recessed portion along a rear surface having at least one
shoulder projecting therefrom, the at least one shoulder including
a fork mounting mechanism for mounting equipment thereto; and
an attaching mechanism along a lateral surface for attaching the
carrying pod to the motor vehicle.
2. The system of claim 1 wherein the carrying pod of one of the
pair of rack members is adjustably aligned with the carrying pod of
the other of the pair of rack members such that respective
longitudinal slots are aligned with each other.
3. The system of claim 2 wherein the top portion of each carrying
pod includes three longitudinal slots formed therein in spaced
apart relationship and approximately parallel to one another.
4. The system of claim 3 further comprising at least one grooved
rail coupled between the pair of rack members for receiving
equipment thereon.
5. The system of claim 4 wherein the at least one grooved rail is
disposed in respective aligned longitudinal slots.
6. The system of claim 1 wherein the at least one shoulder further
includes a pair of spaced apart horizontally projecting studs, each
stud for removably attaching opposite ends of an elastic strap
thereto for mounting equipment therewith.
7. The system of claim 1 wherein the attaching mechanism comprises
an adjustable strap connected to a hook for attaching to the
roof.
8. The system of claim 1 wherein the carrying pods are formed of
plastic.
9. The system of claim 1 wherein each rack member comprises a pair
of carrying pods slidably joined by a transverse tubular
member.
10. A rack system for a motor vehicle comprising:
a pair of rack members for mounting on a roof of a motor vehicle,
disposed in spaced apart relationship and approximately parallel to
one another in the transverse direction of the vehicle, each rack
member including a pair of carrying pods joined by a transverse
tubular member, wherein each carrying pod comprises:
a contact portion along a bottom surface for contacting the
roof;
a top portion having at least one longitudinal slot formed therein
for receiving equipment thereon;
a recessed portion along a rear surface having at least one
shoulder projecting therefrom, the at least one shoulder including
a fork mounting mechanism for mounting equipment thereto; and
a recessed portion along a lateral surface having an attaching
mechanism coupled thereto for attaching the carrying pod to the
motor vehicle.
11. The system of claim 10 wherein the pair of carrying pods of one
of the pair of rack members is adjustably aligned with the pair of
carrying pods of the other of the pair of rack members such that
respective longitudinal slots are aligned with each other.
12. The system of claim 11 wherein the top portion of each carrying
pod includes three longitudinal slots formed therein in spaced
apart relationship and approximately parallel to one another.
13. The system of claim 12 further comprising at least one grooved
rail coupled between the pair of rack members for receiving
equipment thereon.
14. The system of claim 13 wherein the at least one grooved rail is
disposed in respective aligned longitudinal slots.
15. The system of claim 10 wherein the at least one shoulder
further includes a pair of spaced apart horizontally projecting
studs, each stud for removably attaching opposite ends of an
elastic strap thereto for mounting equipment therewith.
16. The system of claim 10 wherein the attaching mechanism
comprises an adjustable strap connected to a hook for attaching to
the roof.
17. The system of claim 10 wherein the carrying pods are formed of
plastic.
18. A rack system for a motor vehicle comprising:
a pair of rack members for mounting on a roof of a motor vehicle,
disposed in spaced apart relationship and approximately parallel to
one another in the transverse direction of the vehicle, each rack
member including a pair of carrying pods slidably joined by a
transverse expander tube, wherein each carrying pod comprises:
a contact portion along a bottom surface for contacting the
roof;
a concave portion along a top surface having at least one
longitudinal slot formed therein for receiving equipment thereon;
and
a lateral recessed portion having an attaching mechanism coupled
thereto for attaching the carrying pod to the motor vehicle.
19. The system of claim 18 wherein the pair of carrying pods of one
of the pair of rack members is adjustably aligned with the pair of
carrying pods of the other of the pair of rack members such that
respective longitudinal slots are aligned with each other.
20. The system of claim 19 wherein the concave portion of each
carrying pod includes three longitudinal slots formed therein in
spaced apart relationship and approximately parallel to one
another.
21. The system of claim 20 further comprising at least one grooved
rail coupled between the pair of rack members for receiving
equipment thereon.
22. The system of claim 21 wherein the at least one grooved rail is
disposed in respective aligned longitudinal slots.
23. The system of claim 18 further comprising a recessed portion
along a rear surface having at least one shoulder projecting
therefrom, the at least one shoulder including a mounting mechanism
for mounting equipment thereto.
24. The system of claim 23 wherein the at least one shoulder
includes an opening and wherein the mounting mechanism comprises a
fork mounting mechanism disposed through the shoulder opening.
25. The system of claim 24 wherein the at least one shoulder
further includes a pair of spaced apart horizontally projecting
studs, each stud for removably attaching opposite ends of an
elastic strap thereto for mounting equipment therewith.
26. The system of claim 18 wherein the attaching mechanism
comprises an adjustable strap connected to a hook for attaching to
an edge of the roof and a ratchet operable with a key lever for
tensioning the adjustable strap.
27. The system of claim 18 wherein the carrying pods are formed of
plastic.
28. A rack system for a motor vehicle comprising:
a pair of rack members for mounting on a roof of a motor vehicle,
disposed in spaced apart relationship and approximately parallel to
one another in the transverse direction of the vehicle, each rack
member including a carrying pod comprising:
a contact portion along a bottom surface for contacting the
roof;
a top concave portion having at least one longitudinal slot formed
therein for receiving equipment thereon;
a recessed portion along a rear surface having at least one
shoulder projecting therefrom, the at least one shoulder including
a mounting mechanism for mounting equipment thereto; and
an attaching mechanism along a lateral surface for attaching the
carrying pod to the motor vehicle.
29. A rack system for a motor vehicle comprising:
a pair of rack members for mounting on a roof of a motor vehicle,
disposed in spaced apart relationship and approximately parallel to
one another in the transverse direction of the vehicle, each rack
member including a pair of carrying pods joined by a transverse
tubular member, wherein each carrying pod comprises:
a contact portion along a bottom surface for contacting the
roof;
a top concave portion having at least one longitudinal slot formed
therein for receiving equipment thereon;
a first recessed portion along a rear surface having at least one
shoulder projecting therefrom, the at least one shoulder including
a mounting mechanism for mounting equipment thereto; and
a second recessed portion along a lateral surface having an
attaching mechanism coupled thereto for attaching the carrying pod
to the motor vehicle.
30. A rack system for a motor vehicle comprising:
a pair of rack members for mounting on a roof of a motor vehicle,
disposed in spaced apart relationship and approximately parallel to
one another in the transverse direction of the vehicle, each rack
member including a pair of carrying pods joined by a transverse
tubular member, wherein each carrying pod comprises:
a contact portion along a bottom surface for contacting the
roof;
a top surface having a longitudinal slot formed therein for
receiving equipment thereon; and
a recessed portion along a surface having a shoulder projecting
therefrom, the shoulder having a fork mounting mechanism for
mounting bicycle forks thereon.
31. The system of claim 30 wherein the fork mounting mechanism is
aligned with the longitudinal slot and the longitudinal slot is
adapted to receive ski equipment or a bicycle wheel.
32. The system of claim 30 wherein the carrying pods are formed of
plastic.
Description
RELATED APPLICATION
This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application
No. 60/013,811, filed Mar. 21, 1996, the content of which is
incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The current state-of-the-art approach for transporting large sports
equipment items on automobiles is based on multiple,
equipment-specific mounts that are combined with car model-specific
rack system components. This approach generally provides good
results for individual sports equipment and particular automobiles;
however, such systems are high in cost and are typically designed
to fit a specific car model.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
A need exists for an economical roof rack system that can
accommodate a variety of sports equipment without requiring
equipment-specific mounts and can be adapted for use with multiple
car models.
The above and other problems are solved by the multi-sport roof
rack system of the present invention. The system provides an
economical design that is adaptable for reuse on multiple vehicles.
Accordingly, a rack system for a motor vehicle comprises a pair of
rack members for mounting on a roof of a motor vehicle, disposed in
spaced apart relationship and approximately parallel to one another
in the transverse direction of the vehicle. Each rack member
includes at least one carrying pod. In a preferred embodiment, each
rack member comprises a pair of carrying pods slidably joined by a
transverse tubular member. The carrying pods each comprise a
contact portion along a bottom surface for contacting the roof; a
concave portion along a top surface having at least one
longitudinal slot formed therein for receiving equipment; a first
recessed portion along a rear surface having at least one shoulder
formed therein that includes a mounting mechanism for mounting
equipment thereto; and a second recessed portion along a lateral
surface having an attaching mechanism coupled thereto for attaching
the carrying pod to the motor vehicle.
According to an aspect of the invention, the pair of carrying pods
of one of the pair of rack members is adjustably aligned with the
pair of carrying pods of the other of the pair of rack members such
that respective longitudinal slots are aligned with each other.
According to another aspect, the top portion of each carrying pod
includes three longitudinal slots in spaced apart relationship and
approximately parallel to one another.
According to another aspect, the mounting mechanism comprises a
fork mounting mechanism disposed through an opening in the
shoulder.
According to yet another aspect, the attaching mechanism comprises
a strap connected to a hook for attaching to an edge of the roof.
The attaching mechanism can include a ratchet operable with a key
lever for tensioning the strap.
In a preferred embodiment, each pair of carrying pods is connected
across the car roof by an expander tube that provides adjustment
for a range of roof mounting widths. The rack members are fastened
to the car by adjustable straps and hooks that grab under the rain
gutters, or into the door frames on cars without gutters, or
through the interior of the car in cases where no suitable clamping
surfaces exist.
In a preferred embodiment, the rack members are mounted
independently to the roof, and spaced apart to accommodate the
particular equipment load being carried. In another preferred
embodiment, the rack members are connected by a pair of
longitudinal grooved rails that can be adjusted to various lengths
to fit different sports equipment.
Equipment items can be secured onto the carrying pods by straps
that attach to molded-in studs, or by long straps that tie around
the pods and expander tube. In a preferred embodiment, a bicycle
can be mounted to the rack system by fork-mount hardware at one end
and straps at the other end of the bicycle.
The roof rack system provides a highly streamlined shape which
minimizes wind noise and whistling when in use, and fits the
aerodynamic look of many modern automobiles. Further, the equipment
mounting and attaching mechanisms of the present invention rack
system are generally concealed inside, or recessed into, the
carrying pods, where they are protected from the weather, and less
likely to cause wind noise.
In a preferred embodiment, the carrying pods are molded of recycled
plastic such as #2 high density polyethylene (HDPE). Also, the use
of metal in the overall system is minimized to enhance weather
resistance, and to aid future recycling.
Installation and use of the roof rack system generally requires no
tools, except a specific key lever provided with the system, and
can be accomplished in a variety of weather conditions, in many
cases by gloved hands. The weight of the system is generally much
lighter than comparably functional rack systems offered in the
market today.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
The foregoing and other objects, features and advantages of the
invention will be apparent from the following more particular
description of preferred embodiments of the invention, as
illustrated in the accompanying drawings in which like reference
characters refer to the same parts throughout the different
views.
FIG. 1A is a front perspective view of the carrying pods and
expander tube of the roof rack system of the present invention as
mounted on a motor vehicle.
FIG. 1B is a side view of the carrying pods, front and rear, as
mounted on a motor vehicle.
FIGS. 2A-2B are top and rear views, respectively, of one of the
carrying pods in accordance with the present invention.
FIGS. 2C-2D are end views (in partial section) taken along lined
C--C and D--D, respectively, in FIG. 1A.
FIG. 3 is a rear perspective view of the rack system illustrating a
carrying arrangement in accordance with the present invention.
FIG. 4 is a rear quarter perspective view of the rack system
illustrating the fork mounting mechanism, with two different types
of clamping hardware.
FIGS. 5A and 5B are quarter perspective views of the rack system
showing a bicycle mounted in the fork mounts and the longitudinal
slot in accordance with the present invention.
FIGS. 6A and 6B are quarter perspective views of the rack system
showing a pair of skis mounted in the longitudinal slots in
accordance with the present invention.
FIG. 7 is a partial perspective view of an alternative embodiment
of the present invention showing a rail disposed between the
carrying pods.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
Referring now to the Figures, which show several preferred
embodiments, following is a detailed description of the system and
its features in design, construction, and use.
A multi-sport roof rack system 10 of the present invention, shown
in FIGS. 1A and 1B, comprises a pair of rack members 11a, 11b, each
of which includes a pair of carrying pods 12a, 12b, and 12c, 12d,
respectively, and an expander tube 14. Each expander tube 14
slidably joins or connects a pair of mirror image pods 12a, 12b and
12c, 12d respectively. The rack members 11a, 11b are attachable to
a car roof 50 using an attachment arrangement that includes straps
28 and hooks 32, described further below. The pods 12 each include
longitudinal slots 20a, 20b, and 21 for receiving equipment and are
also described further below. Each pod 12 has mounting portions
molded into its shape along the top and rear surfaces that are
designed to accommodate various sports equipment items, discussed
further below, all in one molded part. In a preferred embodiment,
the carrying pods 12 are molded of recycled plastic such as #2 high
density polyethylene (HDPE). The expander tube 14 is made of metal,
such as steel or aluminum, but can be made of any other suitable
material.
Referring now also to FIGS. 2A-2D, and as noted above, each pair of
pods 12a, 12b and 12c, 12d is connected in a transverse direction
across the vehicle by expander tube. 14 which allows the system 10
to be adjusted to the width of the car roof. Each end of the
expander tube 14 is received inside a channel 13 of respective pods
12, thus maintaining the alignment of the pods to one another, and
adding reinforcement to the weight bearing surfaces 24 of the pods.
In a preferred embodiment, the expander tube 14 is adjustable
inwardly or outwardly by sliding it along the channel 13 of the
respective pods 12 and locking it with a set screw on each pod. In
a preferred embodiment, the expander tube 14 provides adjustment
for roof widths in a range from approximately 38 inches to
approximately 50 inches.
Each carrying pod 12 has a padded load-bearing portion 24 on its
bottom which contacts the car roof 50 (FIG. 1A). The padding
reduces scratching of the automobile finish, and provides adequate
surface area for mounting the rack system 10 onto a variety of roof
shapes and sizes. The padding also adds friction in the interface
with the car, thus reducing sliding of the pods 12 when in use with
the car in motion.
The carrying pod 12 has a concave, scoop-like portion 16 along the
top surface that can function as a cradle or a bar for mounting a
surfboard, snowboard, sailboard or kayak. The longitudinal slots
20a, 20b, and 21 are formed in the concave portion. The slots 20a,
20b are each formed by angled surfaces 20c and 20d. The central
longitudinal slot 21 serves to register a kayak when the pods 12
are used as a kayak cradle.
Each pod 12 includes an attaching portion 26 (FIGS. 2A and 2B)
which houses an adjustable strap 28 for attaching the pod to the
car and a hook 32 for hooking under the rain gutter or into the
door molding of the car. In applications where the hook 32 does not
fit a particular car, an extension strap can be looped through the
interior of the car above the doors, and securely attached to the
adjustable strap 28. The strap 28 can be tensioned by a hardware
device such as a cam lock buckle, a ratchet 36, or an
over-the-center latch 34 (FIG. 4). The ratchet 36 is a conventional
ratchet mechanism that is operated by a removable ratchet handle or
"key lever", which provides some security for keeping the rack on
the vehicle without requiring any supplemental locks.
Referring now to FIG. 3, there is shown a typical configuration in
which a kayak 60 and a bicycle 52 are mounted on the rack system 10
of the present invention. In an alternative configuration, a canoe
can be accommodated by inverting the canoe and positioning it to
span across the concave portions 16 of respective pods 12a, 12b and
12c, 12d. Other alternative configurations of common sports
equipment include any one of the grouped items in Table 1, any two
of the grouped items in Table 2, or the two grouped items listed in
Table 3:
______________________________________ Table 1 Table 2 Table 3 (any
one item) (any two items) (both items)
______________________________________ 1 canoe 1 kayak 1 canoe 2
kayaks 2 bicycles 2 bicycles 4 bicycles 2 pairs of skis -- 4 pairs
of skis 1 snowboard -- 2 snowboards 1 surfboard -- 2 surfboards 1
sailboard -- 1 sailboard & mast -- --
______________________________________
The details of mounting equipment onto the rack system 10 of the
present invention will now be described. Referring to FIG. 4, a
recessed portion 19 of the carrying pod 12 includes a pair of
shoulders 18 which project outwardly therefrom. An opening 18b
(FIGS. 2C and 2D) through vertical sides 18c of the shoulder 18
receives a mounting mechanism 18a. The mounting mechanism 18a is
preferably a standard quick-release fork-mount mechanism for
receiving and securing bicycle forks. Other suitable fork mounting
mechanisms 18a' (FIG. 4) can also be used.
Referring now to FIGS. 5A and 5B, a configuration is shown for
mounting bicycle 52 onto the rack system 10 of the present
invention. The rear wheel 56 of the bike can be cradled in either
of the two longitudinal slots 20a, 20b which are molded into each
pod and aligned with the fork mounts 18a. The bicycle forks 54 are
received into the fork mounts 18a as shown in FIG. 5B. Referring to
FIGS. 6A and 6B, a configuration is shown for mounting skis 58 (or
ski poles) onto the rack system 10 of the present invention. The
skis 58 can be cradled in either of the longitudinal slots 20a,
20b, which are sized to fit most types and sizes of skis in use
today.
In each of the configurations of FIGS. 5A-5B and 6A-6B, two sets of
pods, 12a, 12b, 12c, 12d, one fore and one aft, are used to carry
the items listed. Tie-down to the pods 12 is accomplished with cam
buckle straps or other long straps/ropes 62 (FIG. 3) for most
sports items except bicycles and skis. The rear wheel 56 of the
bike 52 and both ends of the pair of skis 58 (or poles) are tied
down with an elastic strap 25 at each of the longitudinal slots
20a, 20b. A pair of studs 22 projecting horizontally from the
shoulder 18 accommodates the elastic strap 25 for securing the
equipment items. The straps 25 are attached by hooking the loose
end of the strap to the stud or studs 22 after looping it around
the item being carried.
Referring now to FIG. 7, an alternative embodiment of the present
invention includes a grooved rail 30 disposed in longitudinal slots
20b between carrying pods 12b and 12d. The rail 30 can be secured
to the pods 12 by looping the elastic straps 25 around the rail and
hooking the straps to the studs 22 as described above. For smaller
cars which lack sufficient distance longitudinally for the pods to
be mounted far enough apart to attach large sports equipment
securely, the rail 30 provides an extended mounting surface. For
example, the rear wheel 56 of bicycle 52 can be mounted by placing
the wheel into the grooved rail 30 at the end disposed in slot 20b
of carrying pod 12d and securing the wheel using the elastic strap
arrangement described above. The bicycle forks 54 are mounted to
the fork mount 18a of carrying pod 12b as described above with
respect to FIGS. 5A-5B. The rail 30 also helps to fix the
orientation of the pods 12b and 12d to each other.
EQUIVALENTS
While this invention has been particularly shown and described with
references to preferred embodiments thereof, it will be understood
by those skilled in the art that various changes in form and
details may be made therein without departing from the spirit and
scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims.
* * * * *